Monitor

Engagements Former supermodel Christie Brinkley, 42, and architect Peter Cook, 37, are engaged. No wedding date has been set. It will be the fourth marriage for Brinkley, who was divorced from singer Billy Joel in 1994 and from developer Ricky Taubman in December.

Ailing Actor Robert Urich, 48, is undergoing chemotherapy at L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Hospital to treat synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. His physician said, ”The prognosis…is excellent.” In May, Urich completed the upcoming season’s episodes of TBS’ new drama The Lazarus Man. ”He is looking forward to returning to the show on his recovery,” says his publicist.

Lawsuits Bruce Springsteen, 46, has filed a general writ — roughly equivalent to an injunction — in London against Robert Tringham and Flute International England, a British distributor. The action alleges Tringham was planning to release a bootleg album called Unearthed that contains many of Springsteen’s early songs….

Tom Cruise, 34, filed a $60 million defamation suit against the German newsweekly Bunte, July 30, in L.A. According to the suit, Bunte falsely quoted Cruise saying he has a zero sperm count and can’t have children. (Cruise and wife Nicole Kidman have two adopted kids.) ”His career is dependent on the public’s…acceptance of and belief in his performances,” the suit alleges. ”He has a normal sperm count and can produce children.” The magazine was unavailable for comment.

Arrested Martin Lawrence, 31, at the Burbank, Calif., airport after he tried to carry a loaded gun onto a July 29 flight to Phoenix. Lawrence reportedly said he thought it was legal to fly out of state with a weapon. The actor was detained by police three months ago for possession of a handgun.

Deaths Stuntman Paul Dallas, 34, of head injuries, Aug. 3, in Sun Valley, Calif. As part of a stunt for the internationally syndicated series L.A. Heat, Dallas fell 57 feet and landed on only part of the air bag below….

Singer Marguerite Ganser Dorste, 48, of breast cancer, July 28, in New York. Ganser was a member of the ’60s girl group the Shangri-Las, best known for the revved-up hit ”Leader of the Pack.”

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